EC/Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia FYROM agreement: transports

OBJECTIVE: to conclude a general transport agreement between the European Community and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia with the aim of promoting cooperation in this field, ensuring that Community transit traffic in FYROM is unhindered and maintaining the continuity of transport among the various Member States of the Community. COMMUNITY MEASURE: Council Decision 97/832/EC concerning the conclusion of an Agreement between the European Community and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in the field of transport. SUBSTANCE: the Agreement provides for the development of cooperation in all sectors of transport, particularly road, rail and combined transport and the associated infrastructure. It comprises provisions concerning the development of the main road and rail routes in FYROM which are of particular interest to the Community (notably the north/south-east route and certain others, including multimodal terminals on them). The Community is to co-finance work on them by virtue of the financial cooperation protocol between the two parties, which expires on 31.12.2000 (see 'fiche by procédure' AVC96259). .The rail and combined transport infrastructure must comply with ecological standards. Accompanying measures are to promote the development of combined transport. .In the field of road transport, access to transit traffic will be completely liberalized in both directions when the Agreement enters into force. FYROM accepts that Community vehicles can move freely within its territory in accordance with Community standards regarding weights and dimensions until 31.12.2002. After that date, vehicles which do not comply with FYROM's standards will be subject to heavier charges. As regards FYROM transit through Austria, an ecopoints system is to be introduced, similar to that instituted by Protocol no 9 to the Act of Accession of Austria to the Union, with effect from 01.01.1999. The purpose of this system is to avoid any discrimination between Community trucks and those of third countries. .In the environmental field, besides the provisions concerning the ecopoints system, the Agreement lays down standards for exhaust emissions and noise from trucks. .There is also provision for simplifying goods transit formalities and promoting customs cooperation. .The scope of the Agreement may be widened at the request of a Member State or FYROM. .A Joint Committee is to ensure the satisfactory implementation of the Agreement. ENTRY INTO FORCE: the Agreement enters into force on 28.11.1997. It expires on 31.12.2003, but may be automatically renewed.�